Bulfinch/Democrat photo
Strafford County Commissioners (seated, from left) Catherine Cheney, George Maglaras and Robert Watson sign a ground lease for the relocation of the Cocheco Valley Humane Society with the shelter's board of directors Thursday morning.

DOVER— Commissioners signed a ground lease Thursday morning with Cocheco Valley Humane Society (CVHS) marking the group's intent to move its facility to a new location on the county complex

"The board of commissioners is very, very happy about the fact that we're finally able to move forward with relocating on the county complex," Maglaras said, noting the project is one near and dear to him as he co-founded the shelter 30 years ago. This project, he said, has been a long time coming.

"This is a very personal thing for me," he said.

The new spot will be a five acre parcel along County Farm Cross Road and will be a facility commissioners, staff, and members of the CVHS board of directors hope the community will be proud of.

The new building will be an improvement to the current one, originally an old piggery, both in terms of space and condition.

"I think that you have delivered a quality service considering the circumstances," commissioner Catherine Cheney said, adding she was excited by the presence of so many people in support of the shelter present at the meeting.

"There needs to be renewed optimism with Cocheco Valley Humane Society," Maglaras, who also made a personal donation to the building fund for the shelter during the meeting, said.

Board President Karen Zaramba, said CVHS is committed to building a facility that's appropriate for the community and fits well within the county landscape. Next in the process of constructing a new facility will be going over details of its layout and architectural design to be followed by a public meeting to unveil the plans and begin fundraising for the project.

"I'm sure we can handle any challenge," Zaramba said.

Development manager Nicole Pelletier, said CVHS is looking forward to support the needs of the community through efforts at the shelter.

"It's truly a new beginning for the shelter and the community," she said.

Board members and staff have been meeting with the construction manager, NCM Construction Management of Gilford; and the architect, Stewart Associates, of Laconia; and also the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Laconia to discuss how to best fit the needs of the county and its homeless animals in the construction of the new shelter.

"It's been a long road, but we're ready and thrilled to have this new start," Pelletier said.

Zaramba thanked the commissioners for their continued and "unwavering" support for the project.

"Most importantly, it allows us to do something for those who have no voice," Maglaras said.